Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is visiting South Korea for the second time in seven months, aiming to strengthen ties in the country’s crucial AI landscape through public appearances, including throwing the first pitch at a baseball game and appearing on a popular TV talk show. This visit symbolizes Nvidia’s increasing reliance on South Korean semiconductor firms like Samsung and SK Hynix, which together supply about 70% of the memory for AI chips. As South Korea’s government under President Lee Jae Myung prioritizes AI investments to boost economic competitiveness, Huang’s engagements reflect both corporate interest and the country’s role as a key player in the advancement of physical AI technologies.

Nvidia: Nvidia is a Silicon Valley-based technology company focused on graphics processing units, AI accelerators, and related hardware and software. Its CEO Jensen Huang is currently in South Korea engaging with local tech leaders to strengthen supply chains and explore opportunities in physical AI applications such as robotics. The visit underscores Nvidia’s growing reliance on South Korean partners for advanced memory components used in its AI products.
SK Hynix: SK Hynix is a prominent South Korean semiconductor company specializing in memory chips, including those vital for AI applications. It collaborates closely with Nvidia on advanced memory solutions that power AI infrastructure. The firm’s role is central to discussions around Nvidia’s supply chain dependencies highlighted in the current South Korea trip.
Jensen Huang: Jensen Huang is the Taiwan-born CEO of Nvidia, known for leading the company’s expansion in AI and data center technologies. He is conducting a second visit to South Korea in seven months, including public appearances on a popular TV talk show and at a baseball game, to build relationships with local executives and promote physical AI. Huang has emphasized South Korea’s importance in Nvidia’s ecosystem for manufacturing and robotics.
Lee Jae Myung: Lee Jae Myung is the President of South Korea, who has made AI development a central policy priority. His administration aims to position the country among the world’s top three AI powers while addressing demographic challenges through technology. Huang’s visit aligns with these national goals, focusing on investment and collaboration in AI and robotics.
Park Jeong-won: Park Jeong-won is the Chairman of Doosan Group, a South Korean chaebol with interests in robotics, materials, and industrial sectors. He is participating in the ceremonial first pitch at a Doosan Bears baseball game alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. His involvement reflects Doosan Group’s contributions to Nvidia’s supply chain, including materials for Blackwell chips.
Samsung Electronics: Samsung Electronics is a major South Korean conglomerate and leading global manufacturer of semiconductors, memory chips, and consumer electronics. It plays a key role in producing high-bandwidth memory essential for Nvidia’s AI chips. The company’s involvement highlights South Korea’s position as a critical supplier in the global AI ecosystem during Huang’s ongoing visit.

Physical AI: Nvidia is exploring opportunities to integrate AI into robotics and manufacturing, with South Korea positioned as a strong testbed given its industrial base and expertise in related technologies.
Supply Chain: South Korea’s semiconductor firms are becoming increasingly central to Nvidia’s production of advanced AI chips due to their expertise in high-end memory manufacturing.
Policy Priority: The South Korean government under President Lee Jae Myung is elevating AI investment as a key national strategy to enhance economic competitiveness and technological leadership.